Your Manual to Iceland’s Golden Circle Route
If you’re visiting Iceland, the Golden Circle route is most likely on your bucket record. It’s a good day vacation from Reykjavik and the excellent introduction to the gorgeous scenery and natural wonders that await you in the Land of Ice and Hearth.
I 1st toured Iceland’s Golden Circle route in January 2014. I was travelling to Iceland solo and joined a day tour out to the renowned sites. I keep in mind becoming so blown absent by the outstanding geysers, waterfalls and vistas.
They blew me away so substantially that in 2018, I revisited the Golden Circle. This time I was with my partner, Colin, and we made the decision to self-drive the route in a rental motor vehicle.
Not only did this give us far more versatility, but it also permitted us to include a several additions to the frequent Major 3 of the Golden Circle (Thingvellir, Geysir & Gullfoss).
Irrespective of whether you opt for to hire a car and travel or sign up for a tour business, the Golden Circle is a have to-see in Iceland.
Beneath, I’ll wander you by my ideal itinerary for the Golden Circle with 5 stops you can make on the route. I’ll share what you can anticipate, how prolonged it’ll acquire you to travel and response some FAQs.
Let’s find out Iceland’s Golden Circle!
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How to get all around: Push the Golden Circle vs Golden Circle working day tour
When I very first frequented Iceland solo in January 2014, I did a day tour of the Golden Circle with a tour company.
It was magnificent to not have to be concerned about driving or navigating, find out extra about the lifestyle and geography of Iceland, and just sit back again and be blown absent by the web pages!
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When I returned in October 2018 with Colin, we determined to rent a auto this time and self-push the Golden Circle. We rented our vehicle from SADcars and I extremely propose them. They ended up economical, service was fantastic, and we had been in a position to decide up and drop off our automobile at the airport.
A motor vehicle authorized us to go at our personal tempo, stay away from the tour bus crowds (that usually all present up at the very same time!), and add some stops to our Golden Circle itinerary.
As well as, getting our possess established of wheels meant we could remain outside the house of Reykjavik, which saved us income on lodging.
So which way need to you see the Golden Circle, rental car or tour bus?
Actually, both solutions are excellent. If you are happy to push, Iceland is a incredibly straightforward position to generate in. But if you’d prefer to permit somebody else take care of that, decide for the tour bus.
Individually, I’d lease a car or truck. I price being equipped to get a tiny off the beaten route and travel on my own schedule.
But of system, that suggests you have to be comfy driving/navigating and arranging all your possess stops. You will also have to think about the excess fees of not only your rental, but having to pay for parking and for gasoline.
Golden Circle map
Golden Circle stops on this itinerary
Starting off and ending in Reykjavik, this Golden Circle itinerary will quit at:
Thingvellir Nationwide Park
Geysir Geothermal Location
Gullfoss Waterfall
Mystery Lagoon
Kerid Crater
Prevent #1: Thingvellir Countrywide Park
Reykjavik to Thingvellir: 45 moment travel
Price tag to enter: From 1000 KR ($7 USD) for parking
Welcome to the 1st halt on your Golden Circle route, Thingvellir National Park (aka Þingvellir National Park). The park was established in 1930 and in 2004, was regarded as a UNESCO Globe Heritage Web page.
With a storied background as the “heart of Iceland,” Thingvellir is most very well known currently for its attractive sights, becoming home to the greatest all-natural lake in Iceland, and as the conference area of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. You can even snorkel amongst them!
Most site visitors arrive at the Hakið viewing system and then walk down into the Almannagjá gorge. When I visited in January 2014, it was so chilly and snowy that I only created it a several techniques down the route prior to turning back again toward the bus.
Luckily, we had considerably much better climate on our up coming stop by and were being in a position to explore a lot additional. Thingvellir is substantial! Colin and I only walked a smaller component of it and had been currently so amazed by the landscapes in entrance of us.
Apart from going for walks and mountaineering trails, Þingvellir National Park also presents fishing, horseback driving, tenting, guided excursions and the aforementioned snorkelling and diving. They also have an intensive visitor centre with an interactive exhibition (compensated entry).
Entrance to the park is no cost, but you do have to pay back for parking if you are self-driving (from 1000 KR ($7 USD) for each auto, relying on dimension). Some of the other routines – like horseback driving and snorkelling – are also, definitely, paid.
PS: We found that Thingvellir Countrywide Park has a fairly excellent selection of treats and sandwiches in their customer centre present shop, should really you require a lunch on the go!
Stop #2: Geysir Incredibly hot Springs
Thingvellir to Geysir: 50 minute push
Price to enter: Free!
Next up on the Golden Circle push is the geysers of Geysir Incredibly hot Springs!
This location of the Haukadalur Valley turned lively with geysers about a thousand a long time in the past. It’s most popular geyser, The Excellent Geysir, is mentioned to have erupted up to 170 metres (558 ft) and has supplied this area its name.
Nowadays, Geysir is not so active but the good news is, he has some lesser brother and sister geysers that are still well worth a check out.
From the parking ton (free parking!), you’ll walk together a route and first pass Little Geysir, which is as cute as it sounds. Be absolutely sure to stick to the path and obey any signs or boundaries put up. The water in this area can be scalding.
Before long, you will reach the most important attraction, Strokkur. Strokkur is an energetic geyser that goes off each few minutes, normally erupting 15–20 metres (49–66 ft) in the air.
Professional Idea: Because Strokkur goes off so generally, I suggest just making the most of the watch the to start with time and enabling by yourself to be stunned. Then you can get your camera in placement to capture the magic the up coming time she goes off.
Guiding Strokkur are a few other more compact geysers, hot springs and geothermal areas. Take a stroll to see them effervescent and scent the sulfur in the air.
With some of the geysers, you can even see inside of of them, revealing some genuinely lovely blue pools and underwater caves.
End #3: Gullfoss
Geysir to Gullfoss: 10 moment drive
Value to enter: Free! (Parking charges TBD)
The third end on this Golden Circle tour is the behemoth waterfall, Gullfoss. Gullfoss interprets to golden waterfall.
“Foss” indicates waterfall in Icelandic. So anytime you see the word “foss,” you will know you are headed to some falls.
Gullfoss is a single of the most very well-acknowledged, effective and outstanding waterfalls in Iceland. The h2o cascades down two stages, totalling 32 metres (105 ft).
Simply because Gullfoss is so potent, hope this spot to be quite a little bit colder, wetter and windier than other stops on the Golden Circle route. The mist off the falls was adequate to ship me managing again to the automobile soon after only a number of minutes!
The good thing is, a few minutes is extended plenty of to snap some shots from the initially viewing system. If you’re braver than me (or if you gown extra warmly), there are a couple going for walks trails all-around the waterfalls you can delight in.
A note on parking: Though updating this write-up in March 2024, I preferred to ensure if parking is still free of charge. A number of weblogs on the internet say it’s paid out parking even though other people say it’s no cost. I asked a group of journey bloggers I know and they all stated it is nevertheless absolutely free. But if you know in a different way, make sure you permit me know!
Prevent #4: Secret Lagoon
Gullfoss to Magic formula Lagoon Iceland: 30 minute generate
Expense to enter: From 3600 KR ($26 USD) for grownups
The Top secret Lagoon (aka Gamla Laugin) is the oldest all-natural pool in Iceland with thermal waters coming from the nearby sizzling springs, geysers and geothermal regions.
Swimming in geothermal very hot spring swimming pools is one particular of the coolest components of vacationing in Iceland. There is anything so wonderful about comforting in a heat, outside pool whilst on the lookout out over rolling valleys or snowcapped mountains.
The most famous (and high-priced) thermal pool in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon, which I frequented again in 2014. It is a well-known Golden Circle addition, while not technically component of the circle route.
The Blue Lagoon is far more of a spa than a pool. They offer you a number of luxurious spa services, as nicely as a really hassle-free transfer to/from the airport or to/from Reykjavik.
It is beautiful, and a great spot to expend a couple of several hours, but it’s also extremely costly. Additionally, the Blue Lagoon is in fact a gentleman-built pool where the h2o is introduced in, as opposed to a organic pool.
On my next excursion to Iceland, I needed one thing a little bit extra genuine and spending budget helpful for my incredibly hot pool experience.
Of course, the coolest issue would be to stumble on a concealed warm spring out in mother nature and spontaneously make your mind up to go for a soak. But the upcoming coolest thing is likely to a a little much more proven pool and spending just a bit to use it.
When you 1st rock up to the Key Lagoon, it appears to be like you are at a community Icelandic farm with a minor cafe out front. But behind that is an astounding hot springs pool!
Operating from the adjust room to the pool in Oct was totally freezing! You’re only in your bathing match, you just showered so you’re all wet, and it’s cold and raining outside.
But then you strike the water and it’s the coolest – wait around, warmest – issue at any time! It was so calming to get into that pool. Just after we warmed up, Colin and I experienced exciting striving out various spots in the pool, as the temperature changed based on how close you ended up to certain pipes.
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The Mystery Lagoon pool is open 12 months spherical with pricing for adults, children and seniors. They suggest you book ahead. You can also pay to rent a towel or a bathing suit if you have neglected yours.
In addition to the pool, the Mystery Lagoon also has a strolling path where you can check out the bubbling sizzling springs in the spot and a bistro for a rapid snack.
Quit #5: Kerid Crater
Mystery Lagoon to Kerid Crater: 35 minute push
Price tag to enter: 500 KR ($4 USD)
The fifth and final prevent on your Golden Circle route is the Kerid Crater (Kerið). Kerið is a 6,500 yr outdated volcanic crater identified very best for it is deep pink walls and shiny blue waters.
When I 1st noticed pictures of this crater on the net, I realized we had to add it to our Golden Circle itinerary. But I was not well prepared for how massive it is! The Kerid Crater is 55 m (180 ft) deep, 170 m (558 ft) vast, and 270 m (886 ft) throughout.
To give you some perspective, scroll up to the image above. See the two minor specks in the upper ideal corner? Those people are folks!
At the time you shell out your entrance payment (500 KR ($4 USD), to be paid out on arrival), you’re cost-free to discover around the crater. You can walk the circumfrance and even stick to a established of stairs down to the h2o.
Colin and I caught to the top of the crater and spent our time marvelling at all of the vibrant colours. Even on a cloudy working day, Kerið was hunting great.
Back in 2018, this crater was nonetheless very underneath the radar. In contrast to the much more well-known places on the Golden Circle, we had most of Kerið all to ourselves.
From the Kerid Crater, you are wrapping up your time on the Golden Circle and heading back again to Reykjavik or anywhere your accommodation is for the evening.
Kerid Crater again to Reykjavik: 1 hour drive
FAQs about a Golden Circle itinerary
How extended does it acquire to do the Golden Circle in Iceland?
You can travel the Golden Circle route in Iceland in a one working day. Leaving from Reykjavik, hitting all five stops on my itinerary earlier mentioned and returning to Reykjavik is a minor below 4 hrs of driving (256 km/159 mi).
Of course, you are going to basically want to get out of the motor vehicle and practical experience each cease, so you are probably wanting at a 6-8 hour working day excursion to do the Golden Circle.
If you’re limited on time, you could stick to just the major stops on the Golden Circle route or pick to keep closer to the route somewhat than in Reykjavik.
With additional time, you could generate the Golden Circle around a few days and insert in a lot more facet trips.
When is the ideal time to stop by the Golden Circle?
The Golden Circle is open up 12 months spherical and each and every season has its pros and downsides. Summer season sees a lot more travellers though wintertime sees less. Occasionally landscapes are green and other situations they’re covered in snow.
I have visited Iceland in Oct and in January, accomplishing the Golden Circle route on both outings. It was, as you can guess, much colder on the route in January. We also experienced a lot less daylight as winter days in Iceland are really short.
Oct was a great deal a lot more at ease climate-smart, easier to generate in with no snow on the ground and nevertheless not also crowded with vacationers. For individuals explanations, I would purpose for spring or fall for your Golden Circle highway journey.
If you are checking out Iceland in the summer time, acquire advantage of all that daylight! With 15-22 hrs of daylight from Might to August, you can pay a visit to some of the places on the Golden Circle at off-peak hours when there are no holidaymakers, without getting to stumble all-around in the dark.
What are the primary stops on the Golden Circle?
The a few main stops on the Golden Circle tour of Iceland are Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Very hot Springs and Gullfoss Falls.
Every little thing else – like the Magic formula Lagoon and Kerid Crater I added in my itinerary previously mentioned – are just pleasurable extras!
Where ought to you remain on the Golden Circle?
As you probably know, Iceland is a notoriously costly spot to keep. To help you save some revenue, I stayed in a hostel outside the house of Reykjavik on my initially journey to Iceland and a price range hotel out by the airport on my next vacation.
Most people who are executing the Golden Circle keep in Reykjavik, as this is the closest principal city and the place a lot of tour buses leave from. You could also opt for to remain in lodging instantly on the Golden Circle route.
If you have a automobile, I’d unquestionably recommend remaining outside the house of Reykjavik to conserve some revenue. Or if you don’t have a motor vehicle, make positive your tour bus can pick you up from where ever you’re being.
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How do you get from the Golden Circle to Reykjavik?
The closest place on the Golden Circle to Reykjavik is Thingvellir Nationwide Park, which is a 45 minute generate absent. You can get there by self-travel or on a tour bus.
All of the Golden Circle sights are within just two several hours of Reykjavik, generating the Golden Circle route a pretty well known and straightforward working day vacation from the metropolis.
Exactly where should really you go right after the Golden Circle?
Although the Golden Circle is awesome, there’s heaps additional of Iceland to see!
If you are only in Iceland for a handful of days, the next most preferred route is heading to the South Coast where you can see much more epic waterfalls and an amazing black sand beach front.
Several guests also like to verify out the Blue Lagoon. Of training course, you should not overlook out on discovering the incredibly awesome metropolis of Reykjavik. Their brunch and pastry video game is unbelievable!
With a lot more time, you can travel Iceland’s ring road about the entire island, checking out places to the east and north that most website visitors overlook. I have never ever accomplished this but it is definitely on my bucket listing!
Of class, Iceland is also a terrific stopover on the way to/from Europe. On my very first visit to Iceland, I stopped there on the way to Amsterdam. And on my second, I stopped in Iceland on my way back from London.
Wrapping up: Is Iceland’s Golden Circle route worthy of it?
Certainly, Iceland’s Golden Circle route is so really worth it!
While definitely the most touristed route in Iceland, the Golden Circle is well-known for a purpose. Within a working day you get to see amazing nationwide parks, erupting geysers, strong waterfalls and volcanic craters. Additionally you can soak in a sizzling springs pool!
To stay away from the crowds, I’d advise viewing in the off-season or self-driving and going at off-peak periods. You can also include some lesser-recognised stops to your itinerary, like Bruarhlod canyon or Fontana geothermal baths.
Just before you head out on your Golden Circle route, really do not forget about to examine the temperature and pack layers. You are going to want to have possibilities in situation it receives cold or wet. I also advocate packing snacks!
If you are driving, make sure you truly feel comfy at the rear of the wheel and that you stick to streets your car or truck is rated for. Iceland has a number of F-roads that are only accessible at specific times of year in 4×4 autos, but you should not want to generate on any for the Golden Circle.
I’m so glad I’ve experienced the chance to knowledge Iceland’s Golden Circle two times – by tour bus and by auto. It is just one of my favorite road outings I have finished about the globe.
In spite of viewing some of the similar web pages, I beloved each of my visits and would gladly stop by the Golden Circle all over again. Immediately after all, who will get sick of waterfalls and geysers? Not me!
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